Paul Shanley, a former Newton-based, Catholic priest who played a pivotal role in the sexual abuse scandal that rocked the Archdiocese of Boston, died late last month.
In 2005, he was convicted of raping a boy at St. Jean’s Parish Newton church in the 1980s and sentenced to 12 years in prison. (Go here for a timeline of Shanley’s evil)
In a statement Friday, the Archdiocese of Boston decried Shanley’s crimes.
“The harm caused to so many by Paul Shanley is immeasurable. His victims showed great courage in exposing his crimes and fighting for justice both within the criminal justice system and the Church. We are indebted to Shanley’s victims and all victims of clergy abuse for what they have done to stop the abuse, assure that the Church supports healing for those abused, and puts the protection of children at the top of our priorities,” the archdiocese said.
When I think of Shanley I will forever also think of both his victims and the heroic deeds of the late Jackie Gauvereau Sequeira for her courageous role taking on the church at a time when no one wanted to listen.
Jerry wrote about it briefly when she died last year. Her testimony is here.
Thank you for remembering Jackie. She was very brave. I meet her later in life, and I think what she went through sadly took a lasting toll on her health.